Jeff Benedict

It's Good to Be the Only One

Heather Burton

education: Preparing for a life of excellence (or, How to have the best birthday parties ever!)

Heather Burton
The secret to the best birthdays ever is, oddly enough, something many adults don’t figure out until it’s time to die. Here are some hints: candles, cake, games, friends, music, gifts, and fun. Want to know more? Come join us to find out!
Download class handout HERE
Friday 8:30 - 9:15 am

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me: finding a mentor and being a mentee

Heather Burton
So, you’d like to learn about string theory? Or sign language? Or surfing? Back country hiking? Or Japanese government? Or Swahili? Anything you want to learn may be learned better, faster, and “funner” with a great mentor. In this class, we’ll talk about how to find mentors, how to help your mentor be a quality mentor, and how to be an excellent mentee.
Friday 10:15 - 11:15 am

Michelle Carbee

The clipper ship strategy

Michelle Carbee
We know that the economy should be based on free-market economics (as taught in The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith), that we should be promoting this type of economic base for our country.  Unfortunately, our country has ventured far from our founding fathers original intent to the point where we live in a politically controlled economy.  Many people find this out through trial and error.  Although experience is the best teacher, it is also the most costly.  For many people, it can cost more than they bargained for.  “The Clipper Ship Strategy” shares how our political economy works so we can be prepared to make better educated choices in how to stay “afloat” in the world today.  Combining counsel from our general authorities, the scriptures, and the principles introduced by Richard Maybury in The Clipper Ship Strategy, we will discuss ideas for success in your career, business and future families by learning how to survive in a politically controlled economy.
Friday 1:30 - 2:15 pm

LaRae Carter

Instant Choir:  Just Add Voices!

LaRae Carter
Like to sing?  Then come join the LDSEHE Instant Choir!  Dr. Carter (Music Chair at SVU--how cool is that?) will help you work on breathing, tone and proper projection during this hour-long "Instant Choir" workshop.  What's more--the Instant Choir will be performing this year's theme song "Be Strong and Do It" (under Dr. Carter's direction) during the closing keynote session of the conference! This is a great opportunity to work with an amazing music professional--if you like to sing, you don't want to miss this one! 
BE PREPARED for this Choir Workshop!
Click HERE to download a copy of the sheet music to "Be Strong and Do It" for practice at home before the conference!  

Ahmad Corbitt

Winning Friends and influencing people (Amicitia Youth Seminar)

Ahmad Corbitt
One of the most important skills we need to be successful in life is how to make friends and keep relationships strong and healthy. This class will discuss the ways to cultivate friendships, bolster relationships, and be a people person without lowering your standards.
Wednesday 7:00 - 7:45 am

Developing Character through literature (youth conference keynote address)

Ahmad Corbitt
Character matters. All around us, we see the effects of weak-willed people abandoning character for what is most expedient. But what is character and why DOES it matter? And most importantly-how do we develop character for ourselves? One way is through reading about people who have strong, admirable character traits and those who don’t. Examining great literature through the lens of character will start you on the path of developing a great character for yourself.
Thursday 10:25 - 11:15 am

Brent DeGraff

World History: It's Better Than eating dirt!

Brent DeGraff
What If? What if Charles Martell had not defeated the conquering Moors? What if Joan of Arc had not triumphed in France? What if the Spanish Armada had not been defeated? What if Luther had faltered at the Diet of Worms? What if Henry the VIII had not broken from the Catholic Church?

In his unique way, Brother DeGraff examines the importance of each of these and other incidents and answers “what if” the outcome had been different. When great nations unexpectedly fall and victory is achieved by the most unlikely of heroes, we must recognize the hand of God in history. When LDS history students search out and recognize His hand in history, they not only see the plan for nations, kingdoms and civilizations but they also recognize that they, too, are a part of God’s plan.
Friday 2:20 - 3:05 pm

Alan Fluckiger

Hands-on Economics

Alan Fluckiger
Do you have a mental block about studying economics?  Or, do you have a passion for the study of economics?  In either case, this class will be fun and interesting, and provide you with insight into the way the world works!

You are already acquainted with principles of the gospel.  Now you will see how the Austrian theory of economics is also based upon discovery of natural laws or principles, which are as constant as gravity.  During the class, hands-on activities will give you a feel for the meaning of terms like scarcity, subjective value, free market, opportunity cost, and more!
Thursday 1:30 - 2:20 pm

Lara Gallagher

Get it done in time for fun!

Lara Gallagher
You have many responsibilities placed on you from school, family and even yourself.  How do you decide what to do, when to do it or even if you should be doing it?  Learn simple ways to organize your projects so that it's easy to decide what you want to accomplish, get it done and still have time for fun!
Download class handout HERE
Friday 1:30 - 2:20 pm

Jan-Erik Jones

Motion, matter and infinities: lessons from the central paradoxes in the history of science and mathematics

Jan-Erik Jones
Everyone knows that objects move from one place to another, that some objects are larger than others and that there is nothing larger than infinity.  However, when scientists (in antiquity and in the modern period) have tried to reconcile these beliefs with all of the other obvious truths they accepted, important and informative paradoxes were generated.  In this class, we will examine Zeno's paradoxes of motion along with analogous
paradoxes for physical objects and numbers and look at possible solutions and lessons from these historically important problems.
Friday 1:30 - 2:15 pm

Tim Knudson

Starry, Starry nights (evening activity)

Tim Knudson
This evening activity will involve looking at several objects through a telescope. Come join us as we examine the rings of Saturn and a nice crescent moon. (Sorry, Jupiter will not be visible until well after midnight.) Dr. Knudson will also provide some information about a number of great online resources for the amateur astronomer.
Thursday 9:30 - 10:30 pm

Ariel Rodriguez

Boy World and Girl World: Understanding Play, Talk and Friendship with the opposite sex (Youth Amiticia Seminar)

Ariel Rodriguez
Although they grow up in the same neighborhoods, wards and playgrounds, boys and girls generally learn different styles of communication and friendships.  Come learn about these differences so that you can better understand members of the opposite sex, and more easily communicate and build friendships with them.
Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 am

Jon Schmidt

Got skills? Developing your talents

Jon Schmidt
Jon will share his journey of becoming a concert-level performer with you, to give you a better understanding of what it takes to develop any talent.
Thursday 4:10 - 5:00 pm

Jon schmidt's darkest songwriting secrets seminar

Jon Schmidt
Jon has found an effective way to share much of what he's discovered about songwriting over the past 20 years, in a 2-hour workshop! If you have a passion for music and songwriting, come and learn the 12 (or so!) easy things that will unlock your songwriting ability or make it better! Use the circle of 5ths and phone numbers to find cool chord progressions! Learn how to play by ear and vary left-hand accompaniments! And much more! "Jon's tools for song writing helped me realize that song-writing really is simple…I was writing songs in no time...and that changed my life." (No one really said this, Jon just made it up to look good!) THIS WORKSHOP HAS LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE AND REQUIRES ADVANCE SIGN-UP.  It is intended for students with strong piano experience or a recommendation from a piano teacher.  Youth attending this workshop will need to finish lunch early in order to be ready for the seminar at 1:00. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (VIA E-MAIL) FOR THIS SONGWRITING CLASS.  (Make sure your e-mail states that you would like to sign up for Jon's Songwriting Class.  You will receive a confirmation e-mail that your request was received.  If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail within 24 hours, please contact secretary.ldsehe@gmail.com.)
Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Earl Taylor

Is it constitutional? Learning wisdom in our youth

Earl Taylor 
Once we learn the simple principles of good government, how do we then use them to evaluate candidates for office, legislative proposals, and other current issues and events? During this class we will discuss several real life cases and demonstrate how correct principles will help us make the right decisions.
Download class handout HERE
Thursday 11:25 - 12:15

Rocky Thomas

Preparing for life's mission (girls' class)

Rocky Thomas
As daughters of God, we each are called to serve an important personalized mission. Come learn how your knowledge, talents, skills, and personality play a part in the grand plan of our Heavenly Father. Prepare yourself to return with honor!
Download class handout HERE
Thursday 3:10 - 4:00 pm

the balancing act

Rocky Thomas
Whether you are really busy or not busy enough; life is a constant balancing act! Learn how to organize your time and accomplish more by finding balance!
Download class handout HERE 
Friday 1:30 - 2:15pm

Brad Wilcox

What Do You Get for Being a Mormon?  A Better Education (Opening Keynote)

Brad Wilcox
Latter-day Saints are a better educated group than others.  It's a fact.  But why?  What is it about our history, culture, and doctrine that set our views of education apart?  Elder Ballard included education as being one of the fruits of Church membership.  Truly we are blessed to have a legacy of learning.
Thursday 8:00 - 9:00 am

If You Can Laugh at It, You Can Live With It (Closing Keynote)

Brad Wilcox
Life is serious business and trials and challenges can be real and intense.  Still, we can't allow ourselves to miss the joy to be found along the way.  Keeping a sense of humor can help us keep perspective, build positive relationships with others, and deal with problems and the stress they create.  Everyone can develop a better sense of humor and follow the scriptural command to be of good cheer.
Friday 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Prepare now to be a great missionary (boys' class)

Brad Wilcox
The number of young people serving full-time missions has dropped.  Part of that is due to demographics--numbers in Mormon families are lower.  Part of it is also due to the raised bar--expectations for missionaries are higher.  Whatever the reason, we need to be part of the solution.  Prepare now to be the kind of missionary who can truly make a difference!  Brad (father) and Russell (son) Wilcox have had the unique opportunity to serve missions at the same time--Brad as president in Chile and Russell in Spain. They know the rewards of serving missions.  They can't imagine life without the relationships, capabilities, perspectives, and increased testimonies that resulted from their missions. That's what they want for you.   
Thursday 3:10 - 4:00 pm

Technology is a great servant, but a terrible master

Brad Wilcox
Electronic tools can be a blessing, but only if we keep them in their place and not let them take over our lives.  We never want them to get in the way of developing the communication skills and confidence to interact with people that will be so essential in the future.  We never want them to get in the way of being able to recognize and respond to the Spirit.  God doesn't use email.  He uses knee mail.
Friday 11:30 - 12:15 pm

Russell Wilcox

PreparE now to be a great missionary (boys' class)

Russell Wilcox
The number of young people serving full-time missions has dropped.  Part of that is due to demographics--numbers in Mormon families are lower.  Part of it is also due to the raised bar--expectations for missionaries are higher.  Whatever the reason, we need to be part of the solution.  Prepare now to be the kind of missionary who can truly make a difference!  Brad (father) and Russell (son) Wilcox have had the unique opportunity to serve missions at the same time--Brad as president in Chile and Russell in Spain. They know the rewards of serving missions.  They can't imagine life without the relationships, capabilities, perspectives, and increased testimonies that resulted from their missions. That's what they want for you.   
Thursday 3:10 - 4:00 pm

technology is a great servant, but a terrible master

Russell Wilcox
Electronic tools can be a blessing, but only if we keep them in their place and not let them take over our lives.  We never want them to get in the way of developing the communication skills and confidence to interact with people that will be so essential in the future.  We never want them to get in the way of being able to recognize and respond to the Spirit.  God doesn't use email.  He uses knee mail.
Friday 11:30 - 12:15 pm

Dana Wood

mitol: most important time of life

Dana Wood
Most teens don’t think beyond next weekend.  That can make life difficult and frustrating. Come find out how to change that thinking and consider how your teen years are the Most Important Time of Life! Using the life of Joseph Smith and the trivium, this class will help youth understand why they think the way they do and how to use that to help make the best decisions for this Most Important Time of Life and beyond.
Wednesday 4:00 - 5:00 pm